CDM Smith supported Bulloo Shire Council's proposed wastewater treatment plant redevelopment through a biosolids assessment and classification program designed to inform future infrastructure planning and environmental management. The project included targeted sampling and laboratory analysis of biosolids to evaluate nutrients, metalloids, pathogens, and parameters required under Queensland's Biosolids End of Waste Code. A key outcome was providing Council with a clear understanding of biosolids’ quality, environmental risks, and potential pathways for future reuse, treatment, or disposal.
CDM Smith combined expertise in wastewater engineering, contaminated land, and environmental risk assessment to deliver a scientifically robust investigation that considered contaminant pathways, environmental receptors, and long-term operational requirements. Given Thargomindah's remote location, detailed logistics planning and close coordination with analytical laboratories were critical to achieving the required detection limits and project schedule. The program provided an evidence-based foundation for future investment decisions, regulatory approvals, and sustainable biosolids management while helping the Council navigate evolving environmental requirements.